Gibson Acoustic Endpins 1940's - 1960's...transition to screw in?

Gold Tone · Sep 4, 2013

Does anyone have information on the timeline/history of Gibson acoustic guitar end pins / strap buttons? when did they move from the pin inserted through a hole to the pins being attached by a screw? Did all models change at the same time?

Thanks!!

Gold Tone · Sep 6, 2013

Does anyone own 50's and/or 60's Gibson acoustics? Wonder if you could have a look at the bottom end to check if the strap button is screwed on or inserted in a hole.

Thanks!!

Prototype · Sep 6, 2013

I've never seen a screw in endpin on any vintage Gibson acoustic, but I never owned one made later than about 1965. That would include stuff from the teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. They all had a plastic push in endpin.

Do you have any pictures?

Gold Tone · Sep 6, 2013

Thanks!

No pics...can't find any pics of the butt end of an acoustic online or any book...is it too dirty and x-rated to show that part ? :rofl

Helping a friend with a build...he does classical nylon string but is moving into steel string acoustics with classic designs.

Tom Wittrock · Sep 6, 2013

I think lower models got screw in endpins before higher models did [if they ever did].
I have a 1964 F-25 with a screw in endpin.

Gold Tone · Sep 6, 2013

Thanks TW. I'm thinking that it may have been a mid-60's transition thing, eventually hitting all models (?)

I mention a year and transition guess out of interest. For the acoustic project just wondering generally which was done in the "classic years".

Cheers

Kris Ford · Sep 6, 2013

I have a '66 LG0 (a FINE guitar btw..a lot of tone out of a little guitar..) has plastic button..so there's your mid '60's low end model example..

Prototype · Sep 7, 2013

A lot of flat top builders don't even put endpins nowadays. It's sort of fashionable to not have one. They just crack the guitars anyway, and all serious musicians sit down to play acoustic

Kris Ford · Sep 7, 2013

Actually..my mistake..mine has a screwed in plastic button...I guess I had assumed it was an all plastic push in type..

Tom Wittrock · Sep 7, 2013

A search on eBay and gbase would likely find some guitars that show the endpin area.

Gold Tone · Sep 7, 2013

TW59 said:
A search on eBay and gbase would likely find some guitars that show the endpin area.

That is of course a wise statement...you'd be surprised how few (none in my search) of such pictures there are.

It's a taboo subject and private area of the guitar for most it seems! :jim

Gold Tone · Sep 7, 2013

Kris Ford said:
Actually..my mistake..mine has a screwed in plastic button...I guess I had assumed it was an all plastic push in type..

Yeah, the old Hummingbird I used to have did also.

I think it was in the 60's some time...Norlin change?

Kris Ford · Sep 7, 2013

Gold Tone said:
Yeah, the old Hummingbird I used to have did also.

I think it was in the 60's some time...Norlin change?

It's a '66, sn# 852XXX (as far as everything I've looked up says so anyway)..serial # also used in '69, but mine has plastic bridge..which was replaced by adjustable rosewood bridge in '66..so it has to be a '66..was that pre Norlin?

Robin B · Sep 8, 2013

My 67 Dove has a screwed in endpin

27sauce · Sep 8, 2013

My '64 LG-1 has a screw in pin.

Tom Wittrock · Sep 8, 2013

My 59 J-200 has a push in pin.

Gold Tone · Sep 8, 2013

Thanks gents for posting what your axe has. Interesting little detail. Wonder if it was a cost cutting move or for ease of build?

tooold · Sep 9, 2013

Gold Tone said:
Thanks gents for posting what your axe has. Interesting little detail. Wonder if it was a cost cutting move or for ease of build?

Yes. :salude Same thing - less time, less trouble = less money.

Uncle Gary · Sep 11, 2013

I'm guessing it was a lot easier to simply drill a hole and stick in a wood screw than it was to drill the larger hole and ream the hole to the correct locking taper.

Martin still uses a push in end pin, but they don't bother to ream the hole. They leave that to the owner to do the final fitup on the bridge pins and the end pin.

Gibson Acoustic Endpins 1940's - 1960's...transition to screw in?

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